
SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
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that what He taught was not His own: "The words that I
speak unto you I speak not of Myself : but the Father that
dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works." John 14: 10. So like-
wise He would have us depend upon the Holy Spirit for our
guidance in spiritual crises, especially when brought before
authorities to answer for our faith. Luke says, literally,
"not to study out beforehand the defense to be made." Luke
21: 14. Yet we do not understand that Jesus or any of the
gospel writers means that we should not diligently study the
teachings of Christ, the prophecies, and principles of gospel
liberty, at all times. One purpose in Jesus' sending the Holy
Spirit is that it may "bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14: 26. This seems
to have been Stephen's experience. "It was plain that he was
a student of the prophecies, and learned in all matters of the
law. . . . To him was the promise fulfilled" as recorded in
Luke 21: 14, 15. See "The. Acts of the Apostles," page 97.
Jesus would have us calm and trustful under trial. "When
they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall
speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye
shall speak." Matt. 10: 19. The expression used here, "Take
no thought," is the same as that in Matt. 6: 25, 31, 34, ren-
dered in the Revised Version "Be not anxious."
2.
There was never before a time, perhaps, when the call
of Abraham was extended to so many of God's people, as is
the case to-day. An entire world lying in sin is to be warned
of the shortness of probation and the soon coming of Christ.
Hundreds have already responded to the Abrahamic call to
leave home and kindred, and go into a strange land to preach
the gospel. Hundreds more must be sent, and that right
early. A fitting prayer for our times is, "Pray ye therefore
the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into
His harvest." Matt. 9: 38.
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3.
The fulfillment of God's promises does not depend upon
prospects. The value or reliability of any promise depends
directly upon the ability of the maker to perform it; yet not
upon this alone, for the maker may be able, but not faithful
about keeping his promises. God is both able and willing,
and is "not slack concerning His promises"; every promise of
God is inspired by love. Study the circumstances of Abra-
ham when God promised him "all the land" and "seed as the
dust of the earth."
4.
Consider Joseph, a tender youth, favorite son of his
father, sold as a slave in a foreign country, by the treachery
of his brothers, cut off from home and communication with
his father. "But God was with him," and delivered him, and
gave him favor with the king, and made him governor of
Egypt, and the savior of a nation, and of his father and
kinsmen, from starvation.